Sunday, February 27, 2011

Hallmark Recordable Storybook and Giveaway!


**I recently received a recordable storybook from Hallmark to review and keep. I was not paid for this review, nor do I represent Hallmark, Inc. As always, these are my genuine thoughts on the subject...



I LOVE me some illustrated children's books. Big time. I can remember my favorite storybooks as a child, and what is most memorable is the voice who read them to me. I can still remember my Meemaw reading a story about a cat...who always got into trouble...and I'd find the cat hiding somewhere on the page. I loved the sound of her voice. She passed away very suddenly when I was 5. It's amazing how much little minds can remember...



Someone once told me that parents should add new books to their children's collection as often as they get new clothes. It's completely true when you think about it. Their little spongy minds are constantly ready for new adventures and stories. And they love hearing you read.



I recently had the opportunity to talk with some sweet, friendly people who represented Hallmark at Blissdom conference 2011. One of the things that stuck out in my mind about their company is that they sent us a recordable storybook in the mail about a week before we left to attend the conference. The premise was that we would record the storybook and leave it behind for our kiddos while we were away. *Tears*




Needless to say, Titus loved his storybook and hearing my voice before bedtime. He told the book (my voice) "I love you". It meant so much to him and especially to me, that Hallmark actually did care enough to "send the very best"... ;)




Well, Hallmark has recently expanded their recordable storybook titles to include some amazing classics. They recently sent me the newest, Goodnight Moon by Margaret Wise Brown. What a perfect addition. Good job, Hallmark. Other titles include Guess How Much I Love You and Counting Kisses.

The storybook is super simple to record. You actually record each page separately, and when you're satisfied with the whole recorded book, you flip a switch within the battery compartment to save the recording....even when you have to change the batteries down the road, your recording will be intact. There is also a video demo here. When you're ready to "read" the book, simply turn each page and listen to the recording. It operates by light sensors. There is a series of small holes near the spine of each page, which triggers the recording. We have noticed that it has to be pretty bright in the room for the sensor to work, so we keep the dimmer on high during the bedtime story for this book.



I can think of a million ways to give one of these as a gift, and my plan for our new book is to have my mom record the story for our boys as a keepsake. Priceless.



Well, Hallmark thought you might want to have a recordable copy of Goodnight Moon for YOUR collection! I will be giving away one copy to a lucky blog reader, which I will choose at random on Friday, March 4th.

Here is how you can have 4 chances to win: (leave a separate comment for each opportunity you choose below, and make sure I have your email address to contact you if you win)

1. Comment here with your favorite children's book title and who you would have record it (living or deceased)


2. Become a Creative Juices of Ariel blog follower and let me know you are!
3. Update your facebook status to say "I would love to WIN a Hallmark Recordable Storybook at The Creative Juices of Ariel blog! http://tinyurl.com/4sgc9c3 "


4. Follow me on Twitter @CreativeAriel and Tweet the following: " I would LOVE to win a Recordable Storybook from @CreativeAriel and @HallmarkPR http://tinyurl.com/4sgc9c3 "

24 comments:

Melissa Ferguson said...

Ariel- saw your post on FB cute blog! If I could have one recorded book it would be Twas the Night before Christmas and have it recorded by my mom and dad so Ashlynn would have her nana and papa reading it to her every Christmas Eve!

Melissa Ferguson said...

Oh and I'm now following your blog! If you need my email it's mnferguson8@yahoo.com and I forgot to put that on my last post, it says to tell u who I am, I'm your cousin : )

Melissa Ferguson said...

Ok don't know if I'm supposed to be leaving all these posta separate but I also updated my FB status.... Mnferguson8@yahoo.com

Melissa Ferguson said...

I am now following you on twitter and tweeted the above comment : )
Mnferguson8@yahoo.com

B. said...

Okay the tears are flowing! So cute, we have yet to get these lovelies north of the border.

I would love Twinkle Twinkle Little Star recorded for my boys from my grams. Somehow she knows more than just the standard rhyme to this one and it has an ending I've only heard from her.

B. said...

I'm a follower!

Karen Lewis Textiles said...

That's such a cool idea, Ariel! And Goodnight Moon has been my favourite children's book ever since reading it to my young cousins and then to my only little ones. We've bought it for every subsequent child as part of their birth gift boxes! Please don't worry about putting me in the giveaway for the above reasons!

Karen x

Mandy said...

Another one of those children's book classics that I've never read to my kids. =)

I don't remember a lot of my favorite children's books, but I do remember loving the book "The story of Ping".

Lee said...

I love Mike Mulligan and his Steam Shovel and I would love my great grandfather to record it.
thanks~!

Just Heather said...

This is actually favorite children's book! I read it to my older girls every night before bed. My youngest? Not so much. She doesn't sit still for books, but I wonder if this would make it more fun & interesting to her.

I wish they'd been around when my grandma was still alive. I would love to have her voice reading to us. I can just barely still hear it.

Jamie said...

I am a follower!

Jamie said...

I love Goodnight Moon! My boys have all loved it and I would have my mom record it. We live far away. Sylvester and the Magic Pebble and Giant Jam Sandwich are also close favorites!

JennyDillBrown said...

I think my favorite children's book is probably Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss.

James Earl Jones would be pretty cool to hear on that one. Think he'd do one for me? ;)

JennyDillBrown said...

Tweeted!

http://twitter.com/#!/Dilliciousness/status/43419847656353792

Wheee!

We love Goodnight Moon 'round here.

Katrina said...

My favorite book was the Pokey Little Puppy, and I wish my dad would have recorded it, he has passed away now but what a wonderful idea!

Katrina said...

I am a new follower, found you via Quilterblogs!

Anonymous said...

Heather McCammon- My daughters favorite book is Grandpa and me and Grandma and me. I would have her Mimi and PawPaw Smith read it to her. She loves books and I buy them for her all the time. I agree with the comment about buying kids books everytime they get new clothes!

Purple Quilter Queen said...

My favorite children's book is probably Goodnight Moon. I don't really remember my parents ever reading to me as a child so I vowed that I would do it for my kids and this is one of our favorites in our house. I'd probably like my grandmother to record it. She's 85 and I've always looked up to her. Jenn

Purple Quilter Queen said...

I'm a follower too! Jenn

Meredith {My Magic Mom} said...

I have lots of books that I love. I'm not sure I can pick just one! I'd have my husband record the story for us so the kids could hear his voice when he is away with the military.

Meredith {My Magic Mom} said...

I'm also a new follower. I'm not on facebook and I don't tweet, so I'll settle for 2 entries.

Meredith {My Magic Mom} said...

Okay, I'm leaving one more comment because I'm an idiot. :) I just read the entry closer and noticed the drawing is over. Looks like I could have used a bit more sleep last night after all! Carry on as you were and just ignore me.

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